June 8th, 2019 marks what is known as World Oceans Day, a day to raise awareness of the challenges faced by our planet in regards to the ocean.
This year’s theme for World Ocean’s Day is Gender and the Oceans, to highlight the importance of gender equality in terms of conservation and working towards preserving the ocean and fighting climate change.
Last year’s theme for World Ocean’s Day was plastic waste in the ocean, but we feel that it is an ongoing issue that is hugely relevant to today.
Plastic is not biodegradable. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces that pollute the environment and cause irrevocable damage to ecosystems, affecting plants, animals and humans in disastrous ways.
In recent years, the British government has levied a series of charges on some single use plastics. Additional measures of control are expected to be placed in 2020 on straws, stirrers and ear buds.
While this is a step towards creating less new plastic waste, one of the biggest challenges for humans is eliminating our already existing plastic waste.
For World Oceans Day we’d like to spotlight two of our awesome Blue Patch members doing brilliant things with ECONYL, which if you didn’t know is a regenerated nylon made from fishing nets and other waste from landfill. It’s the ultimate closed loop fabric, since it can be re-moulded repeatedly.
Davy J
Davy J is the creation of Helen Newcombe, a stylish ethical swimwear brand making some brilliant little swimsuits from ECONYL.
All of their swimwear is made in the UK, with simple lines and clean silhouettes. Designed for the woman who doesn’t mind jumping right in to the swing of things!
Dansez
If swimming isn’t your thing, perhaps dancing is!
Just this year, Dansez released a new line of dance and fitness wear that’s made from ECONYL, partnering with the Healthy Seas Initiative.
It is the responsibility of all humans, male and female to care for our planet, and by default, our oceans.
Here are some small things you can do.
- Pick up litter the next time you walk along a beach.
- Make sure you throw your own litter in the correct bin.
- Recycle as much as you can.
- Donate to a marine conservation organisation.
- Shop from makers that are doing their bit to care for the planet.
Books to read and some great champions of the seas:
Callum Roberts : The Unnatural History of the Sea will literally blow your swimsuit off. The sea you never knew existed…
Lucy Siegle : Turning The Tide On Plastic: How Humanity (And You) Can make Our Globe Green Again. Journalist, broadcaster and eco expert Lucy Siegle describes in fascinating detail the invasion of plastic junk into our eco-system – in particular the oceans and food chain. A must read if we’re to solve the plastics crisis!
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation : on a mission to accelerate the circular economy. Founded by Ellen MacArthur in 2010. A long-distance yachtswoman, on 7 February 2005 MacArthur broke the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe. Seeing so much plastic trash and the destruction to biodiversity during her voyages, led her to campaign for a circular economy.
Sylvia Earl : Mission Blue inspires action to explore and protect the ocean. Led by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue is uniting a global coalition to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access and support for a worldwide network of marine protected areas called Hope Spots.
The Blue Marine Foundation (bluemarinefoundation.com) is working to solve the crisis in the oceans through providing innovative solutions to overfishing and enabling the creation of marine reserves. Follow them on Twitter @Bluemarinef
Surfers Against Sewage galvanise communities, inspiring people to protect our beautiful coastlines, because plastic pollution is the ‘new sewage’. Join or create a beach clean, meet people that share a passion for the waves and let’s see the back of plastic waste!
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